The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has called for the unionisation of academic staff in private universities across the country, urging the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to initiate conversations that would bring lecturers in privately owned institutions under the same union umbrella.
Ajaero made the call on Sunday during The Toyin Falola Interview Series titled “A Conversation with the President of ASUU, Professor Christopher Piwuna.” The virtual dialogue featured academics and union leaders discussing the recurring ASUU strikes and ways to stabilise Nigeria’s troubled tertiary education system.
Speaking during the session, Ajaero condemned what he described as the “incessant harassment” of ASUU and its members by the government, questioning why authorities have failed to implement the 2009 agreement voluntarily signed with the union.
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“The government willingly signed an agreement with ASUU since 2009 and has refused to honour it. The persecution of union members must stop,” Ajaero declared.
The NLC President recalled that ASUU’s formation initially faced opposition from the government, which claimed the academic union could not be affiliated with the labour movement because it represented senior staff. According to him, the NLC challenged that position and won.
Ajaero further alleged that the establishment of private universities was part of efforts to weaken ASUU’s influence, stressing that the only way to prevent such was to unionise private institutions.
“Private universities were created to undermine ASUU. We must make conscious efforts to bring them into the union structure,” he said.
Currently, private universities are insulated from ASUU’s industrial actions, largely because they lack union representation. However, Ajaero said a united front among university workers—both public and private—was essential to strengthen collective bargaining and improve higher education standards.
He also called for greater synergy among university unions, urging them to harmonize their demands for better welfare, research facilities, and university autonomy.
Responding, ASUU President Professor Christopher Piwuna emphasised that true academic freedom in Nigerian universities would only be possible when staff are adequately supported with the right tools and working conditions.
“Our members are not selfish,” Piwuna stated. “We are enduring all sorts of intimidation because we believe in building a stronger university system for the benefit of students and the nation.”
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Adding his perspective, Professor Francis Egbokhare highlighted what he termed an “ideological disconnect” between the government and ASUU. He explained that while ASUU seeks to enhance the education system through improved welfare and facilities, the government often views union activities from a purely political or administrative angle.
“There must be ideological convergence,” Egbokhare said. “Until that happens, the real victims—our students—will continue to suffer.”
The discussion concluded with a shared understanding that resolving Nigeria’s persistent higher education crises requires collaboration, dialogue, and a redefined approach to labour relations within the academic sector.
